Spraying equipment

Abstract

Equipment for spraying a fluid such as a herbicide comprises a support tube on which is mounted a head comprising a body and a rotatable disc. Electrical supply leads and a supply hose for fluid pass to the head through the support tube. The head and the body define between them a narrow annular gap. Fluid is supplied to the disc at a position radially inwards of the gap and flows through the gap to be discharged as fine droplets form the periphery of the disc. The width of the gap is such that the fluid passing through it is wiped circumferentially so that it is distributed around the disc. This promotes an even spray of fluid from all parts of the periphery of the disc. Special shapes for the disc are proposed in order to promote the formation of small droplets of uniform size.

I claim: 
     
       1. A spraying device comprising: a body having an end face;   an atomizing disc having a fluid receiving surface bounded by an outer periphery of the disc and being mounted for rotation on the body about a rotary axis, the fluid receiving surface and the end face of the body being disposed opposite to and spaced from each other to define an annular channel, the end face projecting beyond the outer periphery of the disc, the annular channel including a narrow annular gap defined between the fluid receiving surface and the end face of the body, the gap being coaxial with the disc and disposed radially inwardly of the outer periphery of the disc, all parts of the disc which are situated radially outwardly of the gap being spaced from the end face of the body by a distance which is greater than the width of the gap;   drive means for driving the atomizing disc about the rotary axis;   fluid supply means disposed to supply fluid to the fluid receiving surface at a position radially inwards of the gap;   whereby, in operation fluid flows through the gap to be ejected from the outer periphery of the disc under the action of centrifugal force, the body exerting a circumferential wiping action on the fluid during flow of the fluid through the gap thereby to distribute the fluid about the rotary axis over the fluid receiving surface.   
     
     
       2. Spraying equipment comprising: a support tube having first and second ends;   a spraying head mounted at the first end of the support tube, the spraying head comprising;   a body;   an atomising disc mounted for rotation of the body; and   an electric motor mounted on the body for driving the atomising disc;   the equipment further comprising:   a fluid supply tube accommodated within the support tube for conveying fluid from a region adjacent the second end of the support tube to the spraying head;   an electrical lead accommodated within the support tube and providing an electrical connection between an electrical source adjacent the second end of the support tube and the electric motor;   a handle provided at the second end of the support tube;   an intermediate passage extending through the handle, the intermediate passage communicating with the supply tube and being adapted for connection to a source of fluid; and   support means for an electric storage battery at the second end of the support tube, the electrical lead being connectable to terminals of the storage battery.   
     
     
       3. Spraying equipment as claimed in claim 2, wherein a jet is provided at the end of the supply tube at the spraying head for delivering fluid to the atomising disc. 
     
     
       4. Spraying equipment as claimed in claim 2, further including a connector comprising: a first element for attachment to a container for fluid;   a second element connected to the fluid line; and   a clip element, the first element having:   an outer tubular portion comprising a socket and having a free end provided with a flange; and   an inner tubular portion comprising a nozzle communicating with the interior of the container, the second element having;   a body for sealing engagement within the socket;   a flange provided on the body for abutment with the flange of the first element;   a connector connected to the fluid line; and   an opening which communicates with the connector and which receives the nozzle,   the clip element engaging the flanges to secure the first and second elements releasably together.   
     
     
       5. Spraying equipment comprising: a support tube having first and second ends;   a spraying head mounted at the first end of the support tube, the spraying head comprising:   a body;   an atomising disc mounted for rotation on the body; and   an electric motor mounted on the body for driving the atomising disc;   the equipment further comprising;   a fluid supply tube for conveying fluid from a region adjacent the second end of the support tube to the spraying head;   an electrical lead providing an electrical connection between an electrical source adjacent the second end of the support tube and the electric motor;   the fluid supply tube and the electrical lead being accommodated within the support tube;   a support bracket for an electric storage battery at the second end of the support tube, the electrical lead being connectable to terminals of the storage battery;   a hollow handle connected to the bracket, the interior of the handle communicating with the supply tube and being adapted for connection to a source of fluid.